subject: Hong Kong Employment Market For Foreign Companies [print this page] A lot has been said about Hong Kong being one of the best places on earth to start a new business. It does not matter if you are a foreign entrepreneur or a local resident, the laws are one and the same and it is extremely simple to register and then manage a business in the city. With a vibrant economy and amazing infrastructure, companies from all over the world have been increasingly making Hong Kong their new home. However, while setting up and running a business in Hong Kong is extremely simple, the employment laws may be slightly strict for foreign companies.
While Hong Kong does follow a fairly liberal immigration policy as compared to most other nations around the world, the first preference is always given to local residents when it comes to jobs in the city. Foreign companies incorporating in Hong Kong must ensure they provide ample job opportunities for locals. As a matter of fact, one of the most important eligibility criteria for entrepreneurs planning to relocate to the city to manage a business is whether their proposed company in Hong Kong can create employment for residents of the city.
For any job opportunity that arises in a company, the business must first start searching for a suitable candidate within Hong Kong. They must try an employ someone from within the city and provide first preference to them. If after extensive search, a suitable candidate is not available, then only they may decide to employ a foreign national. However, when the company applies for the appropriate work visa for the foreign professional they want to employ, they must provide proof to the authorities that the required skill sets are not readily available in Hong Kong. If the skills required for the job are in abundance in the city, the concerned authorities would reject the work visa application.
Companies that can easily employ foreign nationals are usually those businesses that require a special skill set. This could be any technology related company or a company with a new innovation. For foreigners with special skills, the immigration process is quite simple as the authorities encourage any person who could enter Hong Kong and be a valuable member of the local work force. Also by possessing a special skill not readily available in the city, the authorities assume that locals would benefit from that foreign professional and learn from them.
